Cruel Jarvis injury blow

Wales and the Ospreys have been dealt a cruel injury blow with the news that Aaron Jarvis will not play again this season.

The 26-year old tight-head prop was stretchered off in the opening minutes of Saturday's clash between Wales and New Zealand at the Millennium Stadium after suffering a knee injury.

With his regional colleague Adam Jones ruled out of the Dove Men Series before its start, Jarvis was given the opportunity to start in the games with Argentina, Samoa and New Zealand. And the young prop impressed on his international debut against the Pumas and was in line to win his fourth cap against Australia on Saturday.

Ospreys Head Physio Chris Towers, confirmed the news on Jarvis.

"Aaron suffered a significant ligament injury to his right knee in the Wales v New Zealand game on Saturday," he said.

"He is going to require surgery and will miss the remainder of the 2012-13 season.

"We are currently in discussions with specialists to establish the best surgical option and timing of the surgery to ensure the best outcome."

Jarvis joins two other Ospreys tight-heads on the injury list, with Jones sidelined with a knee injury and Joe Rees ruled out for a lengthy period of time after undergoing neck surgery this week.

Andrew Hore, Chief Operations Officer at the Ospreys added: "We have now lost three senior tightheads in the space of just a month, which is particularly bad news for us coming at a time when our resources have already been badly hit through injury and just before our biggest games of the season so far, the back-to-back Heineken Cup matches against Toulouse."

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Having signed a national dual contract earlier in the week, Wales captain Alun Wyn Jones will be hoping for a double celebration by leading his country to second place in the NatWest 6 Nations when coming up against France in the final round.

George North inched closer to Shane Williams record of 22 tries in the Six Nations, his brace taking him to third on the list with Gareth Edwards (18) now in his sights. He looks back on a job well done by Wales.

Taulupe Faletau is looking forward to his first game as Wales captain where he will play alongside debutant James Davies in a fresh looking back row against Italy in the NatWest 6 Nations tomorrow afternoon in Cardiff

Head coach Warren Gatland has handed 'world-class' Taulupe Faletau the captaincy for Wales' clash against Italy on Sunday, and believes it is an opportunity for Wales to get even 'more out of him in terms of leadership qualities'

The Wales squad reported back into camp this morning ahead of Sunday's vital NatWest 6 Nations encounter against Italy. Assistant coach Neil Jenkins says the return of Taulupe Faletau is a big plus for the team.

Wales assistant coach Robin McBryde pays Ireland credit for their victory last Saturday in the NatWest 6 Nations but refuses to get bogged down with the result as there is a bigger picture to think about as well - the forthcoming Rugby World Cup.

British & Irish Lions trio Leigh Halfpenny, Liam Williams and Dan Biggar return to the Wales starting line-up for Saturday's crucial NatWest 6 Nations encounter in Dublin against Ireland where Warren Gatland's men will be seeking their second scalp of the campaign.

Wales forward coach Robin McBryde has given Welsh fans a major boost ahead of this weekend's vital NatWest 6 Nations clash by declaring "Everybody has been given the green light," with injured trio Dan Biggar, Taulupe Faletau and Leigh Halfpenny all back in training.